Mixed Results but Better Than Nothing - Atlanta, GA

I had my breast reduction at the age of 16. I was a 40F and I'm only 5'4". My breasts were lovely but VERY large. I started developing at 10 and just never stopped. Eventually, I had to quit the Cheerleading squad due to back problems caused by my breasts. I never attended homecoming or prom because dresses didn't fit. I was called a [RS bleep], a [RS bleep] and a tramp though I had not been with a boy other than kissing. Girls spread rumors that I stuffed my bra. My guy "friends" used to ask me if they could use my breasts as basketballs when they were missing a ball. I never had a boyfriend in school as I was considered a physical freak. I lost friends because they didn't want their boyfriends around me because all they did was ask to see my breasts. There is too much to detail the negative effects of my over-large breasts, lets just say it defined me as a person. At 16, I went from a 40F to a 36/38C+. After my breast reduction I felt like a new person. I no longer had to shop in plus size stores or wear my brothers shirts. People stopped noticing my chest first and I was able to develop my personality and truly be me, not just a pair of walking [RS bleep]. I would take too long to write everything I felt after finally being "normal". Suffice to say, I would not be who I am today if I had not had that surgery. I don't even know if I would alive today if I had not had it because I would have spiraled into further drug abuse and possibly would have succeeded in committing suicide (I had had several attempted overdoses when I was young and my parents put me in a mental health center) My breast reduction changed my life for the better. Now, 11 years later, I am less happy with my breasts. My nipples came out a little higher than they should have but nothing too noticeable. After giving birth and breast feeding my breast sag a good deal, they look a little pancake-ish, and my nipples are noticeably higher. I have some permanent but minor nerve damage at my sides where the scars end and some areas of the scars have not faded and have remained a pale pink (I am a fair skinned Caucasian with dark red hair) There is some crepey-ness to my skin after the sagging. I do not like how my breasts look now, though I suspect that I wouldn't like them after childbirth with regular breasts either. I am sometimes jealous of my friends who can go topless tanning confidently, without scars. I lost A LOT of breast tissue after childbirth and I am now barely a B cup. I am considering implants and/or a lift to correct my issues now but I wouldn't say it is a major issue in my life anymore. A good push up bra makes my breasts look just fine in clothes and that, I feel, is the main thing. Bottom line: There were pro's and con's to having the surgery but I feel it was the best course of action during a terrible time in my life and led me to become the happy, healthy person I am today. My memories are fresh enough that I know I would not want those times back for all the scars in the world. If you are looking into ANY plastic surgery it is important to weigh the consequences and know that NO surgery will give you perfect results. Your expectations MUST be realistic and you should expect pain, scarring and recovery time. Also, be firm with the surgeon of your expectations and listen to ANY warning bells in your head. If after that, it is still the best option for you, go for it and good luck. P.S. I have no before photos as I destroyed them all when I was younger, but these photos are from 11 years later and after having one child and breastfeeding for a short time.